Mission trips are a growing experience for both those on the mission and those hosting the mission.

When approximately 50 kids and adults on a mission trip arrived in Moberly on Sunday, Trinity United Methodist Church had a plan in place. Pastor Mike Wondel said 20 to 25 adults from Trinity United Methodist Church would be assisting at worksites and helping with meals. They invited local churches to get involved and to help feed the nearly 50 individuals staying this week at TUMC. Those assisting with meals included: First Assembly of God, Jefferson Avenue United Methodist, Apostolic Pentecostal Church, Latter Day Saints, Family Life Fellowship, and Caring Communities.

The mission group, led by Youth Director Rick Webb, First United Methodist Church of Ankeny, Iowa, traveled to Moberly for a variety of jobs to complete in a week, for those in need of wheel chair ramps, painting, and other repairs that would not be possible without the mission youth volunteers, their adult supervisors, and volunteers in Moberly providing housing, meals, and recreation.

Scout Merry, with Services for Independent Living of Moberly/Columbia, coordinated the group's projects. He traveled from site to site, making sure everything was running smoothly and supplies were at each project.

Randolph Area YMCA provided showers for the participants. A church member gave them a farm tour. Family Life Fellowship welcomed the missioners to Café 41. Swim time was available at Sun & Fun. Even attending a drive-in movie was on the recreation list.

Each day was filled with time set aside to break into small groups to talk about the day's progress, and to have worship and devotion.

On day three of their trip, Kevin Judas, 13, shared with the Moberly Monitor-Index that this was his first trip. What does Kevin like most about the mission trip?

"It has been a lot of fun working with this group to help others," said Kevin, "and have a chance to learn more about God."

Brandon Kuehl has been on numerous mission trips. He is now a high school graduate, and will be attending Iowa State University this fall. Brandon said he wanted to be part of this mission for his younger brother. This is his first mission trip.

Lindsey Dee will be a senior this year. This is her eighth mission trip, and last summer, Lindsey traveled to Africa (with an all-adult team). Lindsey attended her first mission trip as a church confirmation requirement.

"I really liked it," said Lindsey. "I like making a difference."

She has younger siblings and wants to be a good role model for them.

When asked about traveling to Africa, and the things she experienced there, she replied: "It really opens your eyes. I feel lucky and blessed."

About being in Moberly, Lindsey had praise for her "team."

Page 2 of 2 - "I appreciate each one of them because they all bring something different to the table, and we get things done."

Youth Director Rick Webb was pleased progress was coming right along on the wheel chair ramp under construction on Patton Street in Moberly. Things should be going smoothly Wednesday…it was his birthday! Rick and his wife are parents to a three-year-old son, Carson, and a brand new baby girl (of two week), Addelyn Faye.

Rick left Moberly to check on a wheelchair ramp project (replacing four wheelchair ramps), at the Senior Housing center in Cairo, and left there for a project in Higbee. The group's final project was to be painting a two-story house in Holliday.

In previous years, Pastor Wondel has been on dozens of mission trips. He knows the importance of supporting missions, and the impact they have, and the lives they touch.

He shared that there is an upcoming mission trip to Haiti where several members of the Moberly Trinity Methodist Church will be traveling. Clean water will be their focus.